Ahmed Al Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for Electricity, Water, and Future Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), highlighted the UAE’s leadership in the global energy transition through its pioneering strategies and investments.
His remarks were made during the High-level Panel on ‘Energy Transition Pathways in Emerging Economies,’ organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Al Kaabi emphasized the UAE’s early recognition of the need for cleaner energy to ensure a sustainable future.
“We saw the environmental, social, and economic benefits of this shift and invested heavily in renewable energy projects, positioning the UAE as a leader in the clean energy transition,”
he said.
The UAE was the first in the region to sign the Paris Agreement, commit to nationwide emission reductions, and set a net-zero target by 2050. Al Kaabi also noted Masdar’s pivotal role in advancing renewable energy globally, with the UAE targeting 14.2 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The nation is home to three of the world’s largest solar plants and has launched the Distributed Solar System project, enabling consumers to contribute to the grid through rooftop solar installations.
Additionally, the UAE is the first Arab country to use nuclear energy peacefully, with the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant providing 25% of the nation’s electricity from carbon-free sources. The country also aims to become a global leader in low-carbon hydrogen, targeting production of 1.4 million metric tonnes annually by 2031 and scaling to 15 million tonnes by 2050.
“As a founding member of IRENA, the UAE is driving innovation and global partnerships to achieve net-zero by 2050,”
Al Kaabi concluded, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to shaping a sustainable future.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
